Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: There are increasing calls for the involvement of people with lived experience in mental health research. However, to date there are few examples of peer research conducted by people with lived experience of mental health conditions from the Global South. This paper explores the experiences of peer researchers involved in mental health research in Ghana and Indonesia. Peer researchers with lived experience of mental health conditions were employed as part of the research team to carry out qualitative and participatory arts-based research. Following this, peer researchers completed feedback forms and written reflections as well as taking part in unstructured discussions on their experience. Together with the academic research team, themes were developed from this feedback to identify the benefits, challenges and lessons learned from this process. Peer researchers benefited from developing skills and confidence, sharing lived experience, opportunities to engage with stakeholders and a supportive working environment. However, they identified several challenges including balancing care for self and others, precarious working conditions, enduring power imbalances and limited training and preparation. Key lessons included the need to consider safety and support needs, preparation for working with participants with lived experience, meeting resource needs and the importance of involving peer researchers across the research cycle. Based on these experiences, we identify several recommendations for peer research, particularly in Global South settings. These include involving people with lived experience in research design and costing, careful preparation and training, creating safe spaces and enabling access to mental health support, providing fair and comprehensive remuneration, creating opportunities for career development and democratizing opportunities for participation.
Source: PLOS mental health.
Authors: Hannan Legend Tizaa, Lisa Agyinor Forson Aboagye, Esenam Abra Drah, Joseph Stanley Ofosuware, Elisa Faustina, Desty Endah Nurmalasari, Inda Marlina, Sarah Khairunnisa Budiyanto, Agus Sugianto, Lily Kpobi, Annabella Osei-Tutu, Diana Setiyawati, Wulan Nur Jatmika, Erminia Colucci, Ursula Mary Read
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,496
Awards: G2444096711, The impact of COVID-19 on people living with psychosocial disabilities in Ghana and Indonesia and priorities for inclusive recovery, G604241385, Developing a network for mutual learning on the potential of creative arts for mental health advocacy and activism in Ghana and Indonesia, Impact Acceleration Account 2019: Warwick
OpenAlex ID: W4411360115